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What does archaeology tell us?

Who were the secret archaeologists living at the Hyde Park Barracks?

The rats!

They stole scraps of food, clothing and material to make their nests under the floorboards. Now, thanks to them, we now have a unique archaeological collection that helps us better understand what life was like at the barracks for the male convicts who lived here between 1819 and1848, and the women who stayed between 1848 and 1886 when it was a migration depot and asylum.

Uncover some of the stories in this fascinating video created by the Museums of History NSW Learning Team.

Related excursions

Education programme at Hyde Park Barracks.
Onsite

Archaeology Underfoot

As they experience historical archaeology first hand, students learn to differentiate between the roles of historian and archaeologist

Emily with students looking at artefacts in Museum of Sydney for Unearthed: Digging Up the Past pilot program.
Onsite

Unearthed: Digging Up the Past

Do you want to take your Stage 4 students to the site of a significant archaeological dig? Engage them in the process of excavation? And get them thinking about the value of archaeology?

Students examining convict tools to learn about Convict Life at the Barracks on Level 3 of the museum
Onsite

Convict Life at the Barracks

What was it like to be a convict living at the Hyde Park Barracks?

Two girls dressed in costume in large dormitory style room.
Onsite

Home: Convicts, Migrants and First Peoples

What was it like to be a convict living at the Hyde Park Barracks?